Photo : Bibliothèque Mohammed Arkoun
Little Electric Stories
From the amber of the ancient Greeks to the discovery of the electron by Thomson, shedding light on a long mystery
Bibliothèque Mohammed Arkoun (Paris 5th)
About
2,500 years ago, the ancient Greeks discovered electrification by rubbing amber.
Time passed.
The 17th century, with its electrostatic friction machines, was the prehistoric era of electricity, which became fashionable in the following century. Encouraged by Jean Antoine Nollet, an abbot and physicist, fair-haired marchionesses had themselves electrified. Then, after Galvani's frogs came the direct current of Volta's battery. Electrical science then progressed with Oersted, Ampere, Faraday, and many others. But what was this "electric fluid"? A mystery! The mystery of Crookes' cathode rays led to the mystery of Roentgen's X-rays, the mysterious radioactivity of Becquerel, and finally the discovery of the electron by Thomson.
Then everything – or almost everything – was explained.
Lecture by Pierre Cisel, associate professor of physical sciences
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For ages 10 and up
2nd Floor Room
By reservation, only by email at: bibliotheque.mohammed-arkoun@paris.fr
Our take on this event
Forget everything you think you know about static charge; this deep dive takes you from ancient Greek experiments to the radioactive breakthroughs of the modern age. It is a brilliant way to explore the hidden forces behind our tech-filled lives through captivating storytelling. Perfect for curious minds ready to decode the secrets of electricity.
Discover the history of electricity during the lecture Petites histoires électriques on Saturday, December 12, 2026. Physics teacher Pierre Cisel explores the scientific journey from ancient Greek observations of amber to the revolutionary discovery of the electron. Held at the Bibliothèque Mohammed Arkoun, this one-hour presentation provides a fascinating look at the physicists and breakthroughs that defined our understanding of electrical phenomena. The event is free of charge and open to anyone aged 12 and older. Please note that advance booking is mandatory to secure your place for this afternoon session.
The Bibliothèque Mohammed Arkoun in the 5th arrondissement hosts a special lecture dedicated to the history of electricity on Saturday, December 12, 2026. Taking place from 15:00 to 16:00 in the second-floor room, the presentation is led by Pierre Cisel, an agrégé in physical sciences.
The session traces 2,500 years of scientific progress. Participants will explore the early days of electrostatic machines, the foundational experiments of Volta and Galvani, and the significant contributions of researchers like Ampère and Faraday. The narrative follows the evolution of scientific thought from the mysterious electrical fluid to the eventual discovery of the electron by Thomson, covering key milestones such as X-rays and radioactivity along the way.
This event is free to attend, but registration is required by email to the library. It is designed for an audience aged 12 and up.
